The information in this release has been sourced from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). It presents regional data on the number of income earners and amounts they received from a number of different sources. It includes details from 2005-06 to 2010-11.

These statistics enable users to analyse the level and composition of personal income in regions, as well as changes over time. They provide insights into the nature of regional economies and the economic well-being of the people who live there. Questions such as 'What is the average total income in my area?' or 'How does my region compare with a neighbouring area?' can be answered by using these data.

Information is presented for a variety of geographies, including Local Government Areas (LGAs), Statistical Area Level 2s (SA2) and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA), reflecting regions from the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) wishes to acknowledge the invaluable support of the ATO in compiling these statistics.

Further analysis of regional income data can be undertaken by accessing the spreadsheets (or data cubes) attached to this article.

In 2010-11, total income (from all sources excluding Government pensions and allowances) for persons aged 15 years and over was $646.9 billion, with Wages and salaries income contributing 80.6% of total income, followed by Investment income (10.6%) and Own unincorporated business income (6.8%). As Table 1 shows, average (mean) total income per earnerfor Australia in 2010-11 was $52,240.

Table 1. SOURCES OF INCOME, 2010-11 - Australia

Sources of Income

Number of earners by income source(a)

Total income by source$b (b)

Average total income per earnerby source $ (c)

Source of income as % of Total income

Wages & salaries

10 039 401

521.3

51,923

80.6

Own unincorporated business

1 862 767

43.7

23 458

6.8

Investment

8 249 671

68.7

8 329

10.6

Superannuation & annuities (d)

405 751

9.5

23 483

1.5

Other (b)

1 533 484

3.7

2 408

0.6

Total income(b) (e)

12 383 414

646.9

52 240

100.0

(a) Persons may have more than one source of income.(b) Excludes Government pensions and allowances.(c) Averages are calculated using non-zero income earners for each source of income, See Explanatory Notes, paragraph 68.(d) Data for Superannuation and annuities are understated. See Explanatory Notes, paragraph 27.(e) Totals may not exactly match the sum of components due to rounding.

The Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest average total income of all states and territories ($61,608), followed by Western Australia ($58,291) and the Northern Territory ($54,794). When interpreting these results, it should be noted that some low income earners, for example those receiving Government pensions and allowances, or those not lodging a tax form because they earn a low income, are excluded from the data.

For Australia, average total income in 2010-11 was $ 52,240, an increase of 7.6% over the previous year's level ($48,530).

Table 2. AVERAGE INCOME BY SOURCE (a) - Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Rest of State/Territory, 2010-11

Region

Wages & salaries

Own unincorporated business

Investment

Superannuation & annuities

Other Income (excl. Govt pensions & allowances)

Total income from all sources (excl. Govt pensions & allowances)

$

$

$

$

$

$

New South Wales

53 917

24 471

8 497

23 208

2 701

54 110

Greater Sydney

57 612

28 803

9 615

22 706

3 142

58 828

Rest of NSW

46 514

18 538

6 390

23 843

1 853

45 169

Victoria

50 276

22 841

9 529

20 863

2 152

51 398

Greater Melbourne

52 470

25 187

10 086

21 473

2 360

54 104

Rest of Victoria

43 072

18 004

7 750

19 297

1 471

42 987

Queensland

49 863

19 086

6 969

21 738

2 144

49 057

Greater Brisbane

52 171

23 408

6 797

22 303

2 149

52 016

Rest of Queensland

47 571

16 264

7 133

21 212

2 140

46 269

South Australia

46 551

26 343

7 879

26 038

2 082

47 853

Greater Adelaide

47 862

25 788

8 199

26 820

2 270

49 031

Rest of South Australia

41 665

27 409

6 765

22 677

1 456

43 743

Western Australia

57 365

28 328

9 229

23 384

2 919

58 291

Greater Perth

58 181

30 581

9 682

24 005

3 111

59 579

Rest of WA

54 168

22 719

7 465

20 432

2 186

53 409

Tasmania

43 521

20 002

6 278

22 579

2 235

44 018

Greater Hobart

45 671

24 761

6 394

23 750

2 616

46 840

Rest of Tasmania

41 800

17 012

6 183

21 231

1 904

41 788

Northern Territory

54 082

22 630

3 423

29 339

1 305

54 794

Greater Darwin

55 788

24 251

3 565

30 621

1 341

56 468

Rest of NT

49 768

16 812

2 969

23 813

1 178

50 367

Australian Capital Territory (b)

60 987

27 248

5 011

34 729

1 825

61 608

Australia (c)

51 923

23 458

8 329

23 483

2 408

52 240

(a) Averages are calculated using non-zero income earners for each source of income. See Explanatory Notes, paragraph 68. (b) The whole of the Australian Capital Territory is one GCCSA.(c) Australia totals include data for the Other Territories and regions unknown or not stated.

In 2010-11, average Wage and salary incomes were highest in the Australian Capital Territory ($60,987), Western Australia ($57,365) and the Northern Territory ($54,082). Conversely, Tasmania ($43,521) recorded the lowest average for this source of income category.

Overall, the Greater Capital City Statistical Areas recorded substantially higher average total incomes than the rest of each state or territory in 2010-11. As an example, Greater Sydney recorded an average total income of $58,828, compared with $45,169 for the rest of New South Wales. This difference was less pronounced for Greater Hobart ($46,840) relative to the rest of Tasmania ($41,788).

Average individual income from Own unincorporated businesses was highest in Western Australia ($28,328), followed by the Australian Capital Territory ($27,248) and South Australia ($26,343). In contrast, Queensland recorded the lowest average ($19,086) for this source of income. With the exception of South Australia, the Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs) recorded considerably higher average incomes for this category than the rest of each state or territory.

Victoria recorded the highest average Investment income ($9,529) in 2010-11, followed by Western Australia ($9,229) and New South Wales ($8,497). The Australian Capital Territory had the highest average income from Superannuation and annuities ($34,729), followed by the Northern Territory ($29,339) and South Australia ($26,038).

Map 1 (below) illustrates average total income data for Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) geographies. Excluding regions with less than one hundred income earners, 710 (or 33.9%) of all SA2s recorded average total incomes higher than the national level ($52,240).

Map 1. AVERAGE TOTAL INCOME, by SA2, Australia, 2010-11

Just 20 SA2s recorded average total incomes over $100,000 in 2010-11. Of these, 12 were in Greater Sydney, 4 in Greater Melbourne and 4 in Greater Perth.

Toorak in Melbourne recorded the highest average total income ($150,548) of all Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) regions. This was followed by Mosman ($142,773), Double Bay-Bellevue Hill ($141,544), Hunters Hill-Woolwich ($138,007) and Cottesloe in western Perth ($125,411).

Outside of the Greater capital city regions, the two SA2s with the highest average total incomes in 2010-11 were the mining centres of Karratha ($86,828) and Port Hedland ($86,079) in Western Australia. The coal mining centre of Moranbah ($83,257) in north-east Queensland was also prominent.

Over 2005-06 to 2010-11, Australia recorded an average annual income growth rate of 4.9%, (Table 3). For the same period, Western Australia and the Northern Territory recorded the highest growth rates of 6.7% and 5.3% respectively, exceeding the national level. Conversely, New South Wales and Victoria recorded the lowest growth rates of 4.4% and 4.5% respectively.

At the SA2 geographic level, several regions in and around the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia recorded high average annual growth rates for total income. For example, Le Hunte-Elliston had the highest average annual growth rate in Australia - at 30.9% for the 2005-06 to 2010-11 period. This result can be mainly attributed to an increase in average total income earned by its 661 Own unincorporated businesses, up from -$6,466 (a negative value) in 2005-06 to $83,718 in 2010-11. Other high income growth areas were the neighbouring regions of Kimba-Cleve-Franklin Harbour (up 26.0%), West Coast (up 14.1%) and Eyre Peninsula (up 13.9%). Recent data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2011 suggest that the observed income growth in the Eyre Peninsula may be partly driven by Aquaculture (abalone, oysters) and seafood processing (blue fin tuna) activity. For example, the production value of farmed abalone rose by 33.5% (up to $10.8m) in the two years to 2010-11.

Overall, South Australia contributed seven of the top ten SA2s, nationally, in average annual total income growth rate terms. Condobolin (NSW) 12.9%; Morawa (WA) 11.6% and Daly (NT) 11.5% were the three non-South Australian SA2s in the top ten.

This section presents data on the top fiveaverage (mean) income regions (SA2s) in each Greater Capital City Statistical Area - and the rest of each state/territory - for 2010-11. SA2s with less than 100 income earners have been excluded from the data presented below.

In 2010-11, 25.1% (or 130) of all SA2s in New South Wales (with more than 100 income earners) recorded average (mean) total incomes above the state average ($54,110). Of these, only 22 SA2s were located outside of Greater Sydney.

The SA2 of Mosman on Sydney's North Shore recorded the highest average total income in New South Wales and Greater Sydney in 2010-11 ($142,773), as shown by Table 4 below.

Double Bay-Bellevue Hill, harbour-side in eastern Sydney, had the second highest average total income in 2010-11 ($141,544). Also making the State and Greater Sydney top five were Hunters Hill-Woolwich, Dover Heights and Rose Bay-Vaucluse-Watsons Bay. These regions shared another characteristic; relatively high proportions of investment income relative to total income.

The SA2 of Bondi-Tamarama-Bronte recorded the highest average annual growth rate (7.1%) for income over the 2005-06 to 2010-11 period.According to the 2011 Population Census, 40.3% of employed residents from Bondi-Tamarama-Bronte worked as Professionals, while 17.8% were Managers, reflecting a highly skilled working population.

Outside of Greater Sydney, the SA2 of Queanbeyan West-Jerrabomberra - near the ACT border - had the highest average total income ($68,090). Wages and salaries contributed 85.8% of total income for this region. Queanbeyan West-Jerrabomberra also recorded an average annual growth rate of 5.3% over the 2005-06 to 2010-11 period.

Other SA2s in the rest of New South Wales with high average total incomes were Merewether-The Junction ($67,616) and Newcastle-Cooks Hill ($66,480).

Condobolin and West Wyalong recorded average annual growth rates of 12.9% and 10.8% respectively, for 2005-06 to 2010-11. These were the highest income growth rates recorded in New South Wales over that period.Together these SA2s comprise the largest cereal crop growing region in New South Wales, specialising in wheat, barley and canola. In recent years, irrigation has brought horticulture and cotton growing into the area, thereby supplementing regional income.

Located in the State's inner north-west, Dorrigo ($31,079), Tenterfield ($31,479) and Inverell Region-West ($31,604) had the lowest average total income levels in 2010-11.According to the ABS National Regional Profile, these regions share a reliance on Agriculture employment and an older population age profile - with median ages in the 46 to 47 years range, compared with 38 years for the State overall.While growth in personal income can reflect the relative health and progress of regional economies, wealth is also an important consideration. For example, some people on low incomes may have wealth to draw on, such as property and business assets. Conversely, some people on high incomes may carry high levels of personal debt. While this publication focuses on personal income, readers should note that income alone does not necessarily equate with overall economic well-being. (For more information, see Australian Social Trends, 2011, cat. no. 4102.0).

Table 4. TOP AVERAGE TOTAL INCOMES, New South Wales, 2005-06 to 2010-11(a)

2005-06

2010-11

Average annual growth rate2005-06 to 2010-11

Broad region

Top 5 SA2s(a)

$

$

%

Greater Sydney GCCSA

Mosman

114 971

142 773

4.4

Double Bay-Bellevue Hill

114 507

141 544

4.3

Hunters Hill-Woolwich

110 865

138 007

4.5

Dover HeightsRose Bay-Vaucluse-Watsons Bay

100 951100 871

125 350125 091

4.44.4

Greater Sydney GCCSA

47 848

58 828

4.2

Rest of NSW

Queanbeyan West-Jerrabomberra

52 561

68 090

5.3

Merewether-The Junction

51 187

67 616

5.7

Newcastle-Cooks Hill

54 932

66 480

3.9

Singleton

47 249

63 941

6.2

Singleton Region

46 842

63 342

6.2

Rest of NSW

35 676

45 169

4.8

New South Wales

43 579

54 110

4.4

(a) Excludes SA2s with <100 income earners.

Map 3. AVERAGE TOTAL INCOME, by SA2, Greater Sydney GCCSA, 2010-11

Map 4. AVERAGE TOTAL INCOME, by SA2, Rest of New South Wales GCCSA, 2010-11

In 2010-11, 26.8% or 113 of all SA2s in Victoria (with more than 100 income earners) recorded average (mean) total incomes above the state average ($51,398). Of these, only six were located outside of Greater Melbourne.

The SA2 of Toorak, to the south-east of Melbourne's CBD, recorded the highest average total income in Victoria and Greater Melbourne in 2010-11 ($150,548). Toorak was also prominent in investment income terms - recording an average income of $89,841 from this source in 2010-11.

Brighton on the coast of Port Phillip Bay had the second highest average total income in 2010-11 ($111,966). Also in the State and Greater Melbourne top five rankings were Albert Park, East Melbourne and Malvern-Glen Iris.

The SA2 of Southbank recorded the highest average annual income growth rate (6.7%) in Greater Melbourne over 2005-06 to 2010-11.For the same period, the total number of income earners who were Southbank residents rose by 40.6%, up from 5,332 to 7,495 persons. In addition, total income from unincorporated businesses owned by local residents increased by 128.6% (up to $20,881,749).

Outside of Greater Melbourne, the SA2 of Newtown, adjacent to Geelong, recorded the highest average total income ($61,412). Newtown also recorded an average annual growth rate of 4.8% over 2005-06 to 2010-11.

Other SA2s in the rest of Victoria with high average total incomes in 2010-11 were Woodend ($55,798) and Torquay ($52,996).

Yarriambiack and the Mildura Region recorded average annual growth rates of 11.4% and 11.3% respectively, for 2005-06 to 2010-11. These were the highest rates recorded in Victoria over that period.Economic spin-offs from the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Construction Project may have benefitted Yarriambiack recently, while Mildura maintains its status as a primary fruit production and regional tourism centre.

Kerang ($31,997) and Maryborough ($32,904) recorded the lowest annual average income levels in Victoria in 2010-11.

In 2010-11, 35.7% or 182 of all SA2s in Queensland (with more than 100 income earners) recorded average (mean) total incomes above the state average ($49,057). Of these, 77 were located outside of Greater Brisbane.

The SA2 of Ascot, near the Brisbane airport, recorded the highest average total income in Queensland in 2010-11 ($96,281). Ascot also recorded an average annual growth rate of 5.3% over the 2005-06 to 2010-11 period. Table 6 shows that Hamilton (Qld) ($95,911) and Bardon ($81,461), were also prominent income regions within Greater Brisbane.

Bulimba and Hawthorne, which featured in the Greater Brisbane top five for highest average annual incomes in 2010-11, also shared the highest average annual growth rate (7.6%) with Murarrie - over 2005-06 to 2010-11.

Outside of Greater Brisbane, the SA2s of Moranbah ($83,257), Broadsound-Nebo ($71,435) and Central Highlands-East ($67,288), all prominent in terms of Mining activity, recorded the highest average total incomes in 2010-11.

The SA2 of Northern Peninsula recorded an average annual growth rate of 11.0% over 2005-06 to 2010-11, followed by Far South West (8.9%). These were the highest rates recorded in Queensland over that period.The ABSNational Regional Profile indicates that Northern Peninsula has a considerably younger population age profile - a median age of 22.5 years (persons) compared with 36.6 years for the State - and a 54.9% concentration of employment in the Public administration and safety, Health care and social assistance and Education and training industries.

The SA2s with lowest average total incomes in 2010-11 were Gayndah-Mundubbera ($31,116), Cooloola ($31,897) and Kingaroy Region-North ($32,051).

In 2010-11, 31.5% (or 51) of all SA2s in South Australia (with more than 100 income earners) recorded average (mean) total incomes above the state average ($47,853). Of these, only 12 (or 23.5%) were located outside of Greater Adelaide.

The SA2 of North Adelaide recorded the highest average total income in both South Australia and Greater Adelaide in 2010-11 ($83,035). North Adelaide also recorded an average annual growth rate of 4.3% over the extended 2005-06 to 2010-11 period.

Walkerville, in inner north-eastern Adelaide, had the second highest average total income ($78,108). Also making the State and Greater Adelaide top five listings were Glenside-Beaumont ($73,165) and Unley-Parkside ($71,465).

The Mining centre of Roxby Downs recorded the third highest average total income in South Australia in 2010-11 ($74,933) and the highest level within the rest of South Australia. Other rural SA2s with high average total incomes were Le Hunte-Elliston ($67,840), Kimba-Cleve-Franklin Harbour ($59,356) and West Coast ($53,984) - all in and around the Eyre Peninsula.

Le Hunte-Elliston also recorded the highest average annual growth rate (30.9%) in South Australia (and Australia) for 2005-06 to 2010-11. Kimba-Cleve-Franklin Harbour and West Coast (SA) were also prominent with rates of 26.0% and 14.1% respectively. Interestingly, four of the five highest average annual growth rates in the State were recorded in and around Eyre Peninsula. This growth coincides with large increases in Own unincorporated business income and the rising prominence of the local Aquaculture and seafood processing industries.

Barmera ($34,738), Goolwa-Port Elliot ($34,834) and Renmark ($34,930) had the lowest annual average income levels in South Australia in 2010-11. While Barmera and Renmark are renowned for irrigated agriculture - which can be sensitive to fluctuations in climate and water supply - Goolwa-Port Elliot has become a place of residence for 'sea-change' retirees. According to the 2011 Population Census, Goolwa-Port Elliot's population had a median age of 54.6 years, considerably higher than the State median (39.5 years).

Table 7. TOP AVERAGE TOTAL INCOMES, South Australia, 2005-06 to 2010-11(a)

In 2010-11, 27.6% (or 63 ) of all SA2s in Western Australia (with more than 100 income earners) recorded average (mean) total incomes above the state average ($58,291). Of these, only 13 were located outside of Greater Perth.

Cottesloe, a beach-side SA2 in Perth, recorded the highest average total income in Western Australia and Greater Perth in 2010-11 ($125,411). Nedlands-Dalkeith-Crawley, in south-west Perth on the Swan Basin, had the second highest average total income ($116,269). Also making the State and Greater Perth top five listings were Mosman Park-Peppermint Grove, City Beach and Claremont.

No SA2 outside of Greater Perth made the State top five for highest average total incomes. Highest ranked were Karratha ($86,828) and Port Hedland ($86,079). Also prominent were Roeburne ($80,283), Ashburton ($79,252) and Newman ($79,208) - mining centres to the north of the State.

Morawa, 370 kilometres north of Perth, recorded the State's highest average annual growth rate - at 11.6% over 2005-06 to 2010-11. Mainly known for wheat, sheep and cattle farming, Morawa has attracted recent interest for its surrounding haematite and magnetite iron ore deposits. The 2011 Population Census found that 20.2% of its employed population worked in Mining and Construction, compared with 31.9% in Agriculture.

Other prominent SA2s with high average annual growth rates were the Esperance Region (11.3%), Malaga (11.0%), Northampton-Mullewa-Greenough (10.0%), and Hope Valley-Postans (9.5%). Of these, Malaga and Hope Valley-Postans were located in Greater Perth.

Kulin ($36,177), Denmark ($37,395) and Pemberton ($38,925) recorded the lowest average total income levels in Western Australia in 2010-11.

Table 8. TOP AVERAGE TOTAL INCOMES, Western Australia, 2005-06 to 2010-11(a)

In 2010-11, 38.9% or 37 of all SA2s in Tasmania (with more than 100 income earners) recorded average (mean) total incomes above the state average ($44,018). Of these, 18 were located outside of Greater Hobart.

The SA2 of Sandy Bay, to the south of Hobart, recorded the highest average total income in Tasmania in 2010-11 ($60,548). Table 9 shows that Mount Nelson-Dynnyrne ($58,903) and South Hobart-Fern Tree ($53,919) were also prominent in income terms within Greater Hobart.

Outside of Greater Hobart, the SA2 of West Coast ($52,664) recorded the highest average total income in 2010-11. The West Coast derives some of its income from quite different activities; mining and wilderness-related tourism. According to the 2011 Population Census, Mining contributed 29.4% of regional industry employment while Accommodation and food services contributed 15.6%.

The Northern Midlands recorded an average annual growth rate of 7.1% over 2005-06 to 2010-11, followed by Montrose-Rosetta and Glenorchy (both 6.5%). These were the highest growth rates recorded by SA2s in Tasmania over that period.

Forestier-Tasman ($33,585), St Helens-Scamander ($34,354) and Deloraine ($35,380) recorded the lowest annual average income levels in Tasmania in 2010-11.

In 2010-11, 57.6% or 34 of all SA2s in the Northern Territory (with more than 100 income earners) recorded average (mean) total incomes above the territory average ($54,794). The NT was the only jurisdiction in Australia with over one half of its SA2s having average total incomes above the state/territory average. Three of these SA2s were located outside of Greater Darwin.

The rural SA2 of Anindilyakwa recorded the highest average total income in the NT in 2010-11 ($75,484). Table 10 shows that Nhulunbuy ($64,839) and East Arnhem ($64,698), also outside of Greater Darwin, were prominent. Care should be taken when interpreting these results as some low income earners - for example those receiving Government pensions and allowances or those under the threshold for tax lodgement - are excluded from these results. Another data source, the 2011 Population Census, indicates that one quarter of the combined populations of these three SA2s have a weekly income of $1-$299.

Within Greater Darwin, the SA2 of Darwin Airport, which includes the RAAF Base Darwin, recorded the highest annual average income ($63,119). Ludmilla-The Narrows ($63,045) and Woolner-Bayview-Winnellie ($63,035) were also prominent.

Daly recorded an average annual growth rate for total income of 11.5%, for 2005-06 to 2010-11. Also prominent were Yuendumu-Anmatjere, Sandover-Plenty, Petermann-Simpson and Tanami, all sharing an average annual growth rate of 9.1%.

The SA2s with lowest average total income in 2010-11 were Victoria River ($31,730), Elsey ($31,731) and Tanami ($34,108).

Table 10. TOP AVERAGE TOTAL INCOMES, Northern Territory, 2005-06 to 2010-11(a)

In 2010-11, 35.7% or 35 of all SA2s in the Australian Capital Territory (with more than 100 income earners) recorded average (mean) total incomes above the Territory average ($61,608).

The SA2 of Red Hill recorded the highest average total income in the Australian Capital Territory in 2010-11 ($94,070), with Griffith ($94,064) and Forrest ($94,057) also being prominent.

The SA2 of Crace recorded an average annual growth rate in income of 8.5%, the highest in the ACT over 2005-06 to 2010-11. Crace is a relatively new housing development region, on the inner northern fringe of Canberra. According to the ABS National Regional Profile, 83.8% of Crace's population in 2011 was of working age (15-64 years), considerably higher than the ACT level (71.4%). Moreover, the median age of Crace's resident population was 28.8 years, considerably younger than the Territory level (34.5 years).

Other prominent SA2s were Greenway and Hall with average annual growth rates of 5.9% and 5.8% respectively over 2005-06 to 2010-11.

The SA2s with lowest average total income in 2010-11 were Gungahlin ($54,407), Casey ($54,421) and Fraser ($54,554). However all three were relatively high earning regions, exceeding the corresponding average for Australia ($52,240).

Table 11. TOP AVERAGE TOTAL INCOMES, Australian Capital Territory, 2005-06 to 2010-11(a)

2005-06

2010-11

Average annual growth rate2005-06 to 2010-11

Broad region

Top 5 SA2s(a)

$

$

%

ACT

Red Hill

73 827

94 070

5.0

Griffith

73 838

94 064

5.0

Forrest

73 877

94 057

4.9

Yarralumla

67 819

86 721

5.0

Deakin

67 827

86 718

5.0

Australian Capital Territory

48 744

61 608

4.8

(a) Excludes SA2s with <100 income earners.

Map 12. AVERAGE TOTAL INCOME, by SA2, Australian Capital Territory, 2010-11

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